Northumberland County residents are responding in significant numbers to two surveys that stand to affect landmark transportation issues within the county.
Director of Economic Development and Tourism Dan Borowec shared updates on both initiatives at the August Economic Development, Tourism, Land Use Planning Committee.
The survey aimed at proving the need for Via Rail to reinstate Train 651 that once provided reliable commuter service to Toronto has been out about three weeks and closes Friday, Aug. 5. At this point it has about 2,500 responses.
“The response rate and interest in that activity is significant. We are exceptionally pleased about that,” Borowec said.
Launched the week of July 18, the survey assessing the local need for Go service to Oshawa has had more than 500 responses.
“That's an exceptionally good response rate,” the director noted.
“Our private-sector partner in this is already beginning to do the analysis of what the impact of those responses are, how they can shape routes,” he said, reminding committee members that there are micro and macro aspects to this. Micro considerations include consulting with Metrolinx to determine routes within the county, while the macro aspect is that part of the service from Northumberland to the Oshawa Go station.
Borowec confirmed that they are still looking at a launch of the service in September.
“We are pleased how the local campaign has gone, and also pleased with the fact that we will have an actual service,” he said.
While this survey is specific to Northumberland residents only, Borowec pointed out that the Via survey is a regional initiative, open to respondents from Kingston to Northumberland County, though Northumberland has led the collaborative effort.
“We will have the survey analysis done over the course of the following week, and we will be able to present to council and the general public what we are looking at in terms of activity and volume,” Borowec said.
Committee member Bob Crate pointed out that an important opportunity to make progress on both fronts is coming up Aug. 14 to 17 at this year's Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference. He urged Borowec to make as much information as possible available to Northumberland delegates, as well as to Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini, to have on hand during that time.
Borowec said the data analysis is proceeding quickly.
“We will have some distinct briefing notes for information,” he pledged.
Crate acknowledged the Via train is a Federal issue, but said the support of the province will be vital in restoring Train 651. Borowec's report said they had requested a delegation of mayors within the affected region to meet with the Minister of Transportation.
Committee chair Bob Sanderson reiterated his hope that the Via train can be restored by September, adding that he also hoped for the support of Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Philip Lawrence on this matter.
By the time both matters come up at council council's Aug. 18 meeting, Crate said, he hopes any discussion of this matter will include progress made at the AMO conference.
If you would like to participate in the Metrolinx suvey, visit www.commuterconnect.ca by Aug. 17. You can also get paper copies of the survey at Chamber of Commerce offices in Cobourg, Port Hope, Brighton and Campbellford.
